Dubliner to break the world record for rowing across the Atlantic Ocean

A Dublin man is planning to break the world record for rowing across the Atlantic Ocean despite the fact that he has just one years experience.

Adam Langton Burke, (28), from Skerries, North County Dublin will leave Morocco with his team on January 3. It’s hoped that they will arrive in Barbados in just 33 days and 7 hours breaking the world record. The boat, Sara G, already holds the record for rowing from Australia to New Zealand.

Speaking to the Evening Herald he said, “Basically it'll be six guys on the boat with three rowing at any one time, so it'll be three on, three off, with two hours on, two hours off. And in those two hours, you'll eat, sleep, go to the toilet, do whatever you need to do.

"This is something I want to do. I'll be pushing my body to do it and it'll be a test to myself."

"This time last year, when I decided that I wanted to do it, I went to University of Limerick and I joined the rowing club, but I didn't tell them why because I thought they'd laugh at me.

"I didn't know what a gate was -- it's the thing you hook your oar on. But they gave me great experience, and there are some great coaches down there."

Although he realizes he lacks the years of experience he is putting in the hours. He said “I have a rowing machine at home and I put it in front of the TV so I can row for two hours. I'm not claiming to be any sort of decent rower, I just won't give up, and there's a difference."

He has been fundraising to the pay for the trip constantly. He will also donate any other money raise to Energy Action – the Warm Charity.